It seems lately that when I send text messages to certain people they don't get it for a long time, or I don't get their responses for a long time, and tonight a guy (who is on Verizon also) can send me texts and I get them, but when I send him something he doesn't get them.

May be a network issue. Try reactivating your phone and hard reset it. *228 and prompt #1. Then reset your phone by taking out the battery waiting a few minutes and put it back in. I had the LG chocolate touch as well and it did same thing. This fixed it. (Most hated phone I ever had btw) Best of luck to you!